Site of Trimley tower has history dating back to 1895

But the landmark's site has had a long association with water supply, dating back to 1895 when a well supply was established at Sprites Hall in Trimley St Mary.

This well with a bore hole was 172ft deep and yielded 63,000 gallons, while another well and bore hole was located at Little Grove in Trimley St Martin, which yielded 140,000 gallons per day.

Between 1900 and 1930, the main water supply was from a well at Rushmere St Andrew, yielding 270,000 gallons per day, which fed a tower in Sprites Lane known as "Jumbo".

However, Jumbo was replaced by the current concrete tower in 1934, which used to hold 150,000 gallons of water, with the source at Bucklesham and its treatment plant coming into use in 1938.

A black and white photo of the water tower, which dates back to 1934 (Image: Submitted)

At its peak, the tower could supply two million gallons of water a day, before its closure in the 1980s and drainage in 2002.

In April, site owner Propland Estates announced its intention to demolish the decaying, derelict 210ft structure, which had sparked concerns among nearby residents about the safety of the structure.

In May last year, Spriteshall Lane resident Richard Lowe, who represents Spriteshall Lane and Eastlands Court Residents Association (SLECRA), spoke about how homes at the foot of the tower had been showered by concrete debris as the structure spalled and deteriorated.

Since being decommissioned by Anglian Water, the tower has been used to support phone antenna, but telecommunications firms' contracts to use the facility are going to be terminated.

In April, an East Suffolk Council spokesperson said: “We have been informed of early intentions for demolition and will be working with the owner on planning and building control requirements, including demolition methods, to best protect the amenity and safety of surrounding properties.”